Saturday’s game is offense’s last chance to get rolling before opener

Tony Romo shrugged when reminded after the Dallas Cowboys’ 12-7 loss last week at Arizona that he’s yet to direct a touchdown drive this preseason.

“We’ll be in the end zone soon enough,” the quarterback said.

The Cowboys hope “soon enough” means Saturday’s 7 p.m. dress rehearsal against Cincinnati because the first-team offense’s next chance to get rolling won’t come until the Cowboys host the New York Giants in the opener Sept. 8.

While the starters will play into the second half against the Bengals, they will be on the sideline for the preseason finale Aug. 29 against Houston, also at AT&T Stadium.

“There is no need for us to get nervous or pout,” receiver Dez Bryant said. “It’s simple. We just need to tune it up and fix some things.”

Judging by Dallas’ play of late, it might not be that easy.

The Cowboys suffered six turnovers in losing to the Cardinals, including fumbles by Lance
Dunbar and Bryant at the Arizona 7- and 28-yard lines. In the five possessions over the two preseason games he’s played this month, Romo has led Dallas (1-2) to only three points.

Romo completed 7-of-10 passes for 142 yards against the Cardinals, but he overthrew wide-open rookie Terrance Williams on what should have been a 47-yard touchdown pass. For the preseason, Romo is 13-of-18 for 230 yards with no interceptions after offseason surgery to remove a cyst from his back.

“You really just need to keep improving and the rest of the stuff will take care of itself,” Romo said. “We have to put the ball in the end zone and cap the drives off, and we are going to make a concerted effort so that happens (Saturday).”

Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten said it begins with protecting the football.

“We didn’t do a very good job of that (in Arizona),” he said. “It’s something we’ve talked about all offseason. Hopefully, we’ll move the ball, get in the end zone, be productive and put more than one drive together.”

Like Romo, tailback DeMarco Murray hasn’t played much in the preseason. The third-year pro has only 22 yards on seven carries.

Coach Jason Garrett said Murray’s meager production stems partly from the penalties and turnovers that have stymied the running game in the red zone. Of the 26 snaps Romo has taken, 19 have been pass plays.

But Murray should break a sweat against Cincinnati (2-0).

“What we try to do is bump him up each week,” Garrett said. “I don’t know if that’s actually happened because of the fewer plays and the turnovers. You want to get him feeling like he’s playing a game – get knocked around a little bit. Play consecutive plays, consecutive carries – all that stuff.”

Sounds simple enough, but the Bengals boast a stout defense anchored by Pro Bowl defensive tackle Geno Atkins. Dallas, meanwhile, is expected to start a reshuffled offensive line that features right tackle Doug Free playing right guard for the first time.

“Good defense up there in Cincinnati with (defensive coordinator Mike) Zimmer,” Witten said. “It’s be tough for us, but this will be the time to get everything tuned up and get some confidence going into the Giants game.”